Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]Harvie-Brown, J. A. (John Alexander)
Science
Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]
Harvie-Brown, J. A. (John Alexander)
Birds -- Migration -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
Blackbird.--The northernmost locality is Rhuvaal, where one struck on
Dec. 1st, at 2 p.m., wind N.E., fresh; thence southwards at M'Arthur's
Head, Skervuile, Pladda, Lamlash, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway and Point
of Ayr. The earliest date is Aug. 26th, at M'Arthur's Head. The latest
date is Dec. 1st, at Rhuvaal. The time thus occupied by the migration
was ninety-seven days. The rushes took place between 13th and 21st
Oct., and the most favoured locality recorded is Point of Ayr, where on
Oct. 21st two hundred "mixed Thrushes and Blackbirds" were seen at 1.30
p.m.; wind N.N.W., strong, and clear, with occasional showers. They
were visible at the various stations in all winds, apparently from W.
to E. and from S. to N.N.W. They appeared at all hours of the day and
night, but most of the records apply to night migration.
Starling.--The records of the Starling are very general; the most
northern station given is Butt of Lewis, where the remark is made
that they generally strike. This year, however, the most northern is
Ardnamurchan Point, thence southward at Dhuheartach, Sound of Mull,
M'Arthur's Head, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, Corsewall, Portpatrick,
Mull of Galloway, and Point of Ayr. The earliest date on record is Aug.
11th, at M'Arthur's Head and Loch Ryan; at the former, one struck at 10
p.m., in S. wind, fresh, with haze; at the latter, two struck at 11.30
p.m.; wind E., light, with fog. The latest date is Dec. 18th, when one
was caught at Skervuile at 11 p.m.; wind S.W., fresh, with haze. Thus
the time occupied in passage was one hundred and thirty days, but the
last date may have been due to local influence and keen frost at that
time registered. The next latest date is Nov. 23rd, which would make
the time spent in passage one hundred and four days. Rushes took place
more frequently than with most species noted; thus, Sept. 19th, Oct.
12th to 25th, and Nov. 11th and 17th, may all be characterised as dates
of rushes. The most favoured localities were Corsewall and Portpatrick,
for frequency of records; and Ardnamurchan Point, Dhuheartach,
Portpatrick, and Point of Ayr, for numbers of individuals. Starlings do
not seem to have any choice of wind, as far as returns show. We find
them migrating with N., W., and S.E. winds in almost equal proportions,
with a preference--but very slight--to W. winds. They also pass or
strike in E., S., and N.W. winds, but in fewer numbers. We do not think
any deductions can be drawn from these data. But Starlings breed at
many of the lighthouses or in their vicinity, so it is not always easy
to determine whether, in every instance, they are on migration or not
(as remarked by more than one reporter, _e.g._, Mr. Edgar, at the Butt
of Lewis, &c.). Out of seventeen dates reported on, only three show
migration to have taken place during the day, _viz._, at Portpatrick
(in two instances), and Ardnamurchan Point (3 p.m. in a gale).
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